Manuel Rivera

Manuel Rivera

Chairperson of the Consumer Advisory Board and Board of Directors

GMHC (Gay Men's Health Crisis)

New York, New York

About Manuel Rivera

Manuel Rivera was born on November 27, 1958, and grew up in a New York City public housing development. He dedicated his professional life to addressing homelessness and expanding access to affordable housing in New York City. He played a key role in creating housing opportunities for individuals experiencing homelessness and worked to advance policies that support low-income communities.

Rivera became a respected leader within the LGBTQ community, serving as Chairperson of the NYC Black and Latino LGBTQ Coalition, a citywide coalition uniting LGBTQ organizations across New York City to promote equity and inclusion. His work focused on empowering marginalized groups and ensuring that community voices were heard in decision-making processes.

Rivera attended Sara J. Hale High School in New York City and later pursued undergraduate studies in Political Science at SUNY Stony Brook, followed by a Master's degree in Social Work from the same institution.

Now retired from full-time work, Rivera continues to serve the LGBTQ community as Chairperson of the Consumer Advisory Board and a member of the Board of Directors at GMHC (Gay Men's Health Crisis), where he provides guidance on community needs and program development. He received the Leadership and Public Service Award from the GMHC Black History Month Committee.

Areas of Focus

Housing & Homelessness AdvocacyLGBTQ Community LeadershipAffordable Housing PolicySocial Work

Career Background

GMHC (Gay Men's Health Crisis)

Chairperson of the Consumer Advisory Board and Board of Directors

New York, New York

NYC Black and Latino LGBTQ Coalition

Chairperson

New York, New York

Education

Sara J. Hale High School

High School Diploma

New York City, New York

SUNY Stony Brook

Undergraduate, Political Science

Stony Brook, New York

SUNY Stony Brook

Master's, Social Work

Stony Brook, New York

Media

Rivera at GMHC, leading advocacy work for affordable housing and LGBTQ rights

Press

Manuel Rivera's Mission: Housing, Community, and LGBTQ Advocacy

Manuel Rivera was born in 1958 and raised in a public housing development in New York City, where early experiences shaped his lifelong commitment to housing advocacy and LGBTQ rights. He spent much of his career focused on ending homelessness and expanding access to affordable housing, while also serving as Chairperson of the NYC Black and Latino LGBTQ Coalition.

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Manuel Rivera Launches Advocacy Push for Housing Equity and LGBTQ Inclusion

Manuel Rivera, a long-time housing advocate and board leader at GMHC (Gay Men's Health Crisis), is launching a new personal campaign to raise awareness and inspire local action around affordable housing and LGBTQ equity. With decades of experience in public housing advocacy and LGBTQ coalition work, Rivera's initiative encourages individuals and communities to take action into their own hands.

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Manuel Rivera – A Lifetime of Advocacy and Action

Manuel Rivera was born in 1958 and raised in a New York City public housing development, where he learned early that community survival depends on collective action. Throughout his career, Manuel focused on homelessness and affordable housing in New York City, working to create housing opportunities for individuals experiencing homelessness and pushing for programs that prioritized stability over temporary fixes.

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Manuel Rivera - ideamensch

Manuel Rivera was born in 1958 and raised in a New York City public housing development, where he first learned the power of community. He dedicated his professional life to addressing homelessness and expanding access to affordable housing in New York City, and became a respected leader within the LGBTQ community as Chairperson of the NYC Black and Latino LGBTQ Coalition.

Read the full article ›

Awards & Recognition

  • Leadership and Public Service Award, GMHC Black History Month Committee

Boards & Memberships

  • GMHC (Gay Men's Health Crisis) Board of Directors
  • GMHC Consumer Advisory Board, Chairperson
  • NYC Black and Latino LGBTQ Coalition, former Chairperson

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Manuel Rivera do?

Manuel Rivera is Chairperson of the Consumer Advisory Board and a member of the Board of Directors at GMHC (Gay Men's Health Crisis), where he provides guidance on community needs and program development. He is now retired from full-time work but continues to serve the LGBTQ community in this capacity.

What is Manuel Rivera known for?

Rivera is known for his lifelong dedication to addressing homelessness and expanding access to affordable housing in New York City, as well as his leadership within the LGBTQ community as Chairperson of the NYC Black and Latino LGBTQ Coalition. He received the Leadership and Public Service Award from the GMHC Black History Month Committee.

Where is Manuel Rivera based?

Manuel Rivera is based in New York, New York.

Where did Manuel Rivera study?

Rivera attended Sara J. Hale High School in New York City, then earned an undergraduate degree in Political Science and a Master's degree in Social Work, both from SUNY Stony Brook.

Who does Manuel Rivera work for?

Rivera serves at GMHC (Gay Men's Health Crisis), where he is Chairperson of the Consumer Advisory Board and a member of the Board of Directors.

Last updated July 23, 2026